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A letter
RuddBaron
Sept. 23, 2001, 8:45 p.m. (Message 27484)
Here is an open letter to America. Please read it, spread it around, submit it to your local newspapers for publication, share it, forward it, etc. s/RBJ From the Office of the Commander Emeritus Georgia Chapter The George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society 22nd September, 2001 Dear Fellow Americans, I would like to discuss our recent events and current situation in America from a unique historical perspective. Specifically, I would like to look at it from the perspective of the philosophy of a great American, General George S. Patton, Jr. In addition to being a loyal patriot and one of the greatest Generals in American and World history, General Patton was a first-rate historian. This contributed greatly to his success in warfare, and even today there is much that can be learned from his maxims, writings, and actions. Quotations I include in this letter are sayings of Patton unless otherwise noted. On the 11th of September the first attack was made, and it will most likely not be the last. We are fighting an enemy that is unlike any other. I have heard many say "Bomb Afghanistan back to the Stone Age." While this is an understandable sentiment, an air campaign alone will not defeat this enemy. Commandos alone cannot defeat this enemy. The terrorist networks have such an intense hatred for America that it is difficult for most Americans to understand. General Patton wrote The Secret of Victory in 1926, and in it he stated that "it's the cold glitter of the attacker's eye, not the point of the questing bayonet, that breaks the line." Our enemy has an intense resolve to destroy us. It is so intense that they are glad to commit suicide to further their "cause." In order to defeat this enemy, every last citizen of this country must develop this "cold glitter" in their eyes, and the resolve that we all do whatever we must in order to win and eradicate the enemy. Even more than the Japanese of WWII whom my grandfather fought, the terrorists are prepared to fight to the last man. As in Vietnam, they hide in caves, not choosing to fight in conventional battle. This is not a conventional battle. We cannot afford to fight it that way. I have also heard some say that this attack on New York and Washington, D.C. was so simple; in fact, it was so simple that anyone could have done it. Indeed it was quite simple. That is a basic combat tactic. It was simple; it was direct. The terrorists trained as pilots in our country on the very planes they would soon be using as makeshift cruise missiles. They rode the flights they would later hijack in order to learn weaknesses in security, when and how to strike, and other vital points. They had the element of surprise. That is basic combat tactics. Our adversaries have significant capabilities. We must not underestimate this fact, and therefore we must "never let the enemy pick the battle site." If we do not take the initiative, "[we'll] be playing into his game on his terms and fitting right into his plans." Perhaps one of Patton's most famous sayings is highly appropriate: "Grab 'em by the nose and kick 'em in the ass." This is true for any battle, and it is what must be done in our current situation. We must expect the enemy to attempt more such attacks on American soil in the near future. "A large part of the decision-making process depends not only on the information you possess about the enemy, his movements, and his capabilities, but also on your past experience and knowledge." Patton asserted that "because of [his] intense study of history, [he has] a countermove for every move the enemy might make." We must be aware of the methods our enemy use and what they have done in the past. The attack on the World Trade Center is a spectacular example. The people of this great Nation must be prepared for more such attacks, take precautions for them, and fight them. We know they operate in an attempt to instill fear in us and disrupt our business and daily lives. We must accept this and the possibilities of what can happen. "Do not take counsel of your fears." Fear only gives the enemy the edge. Let fear be the problem of our enemy, and we'll have the edge. It's going to take resolve to win this war. Patton said "it is better to fight for something in life than to die for nothing." We the People must be willing to stand up for our nation, our homes, our families and friends, and "never give up until [we] have attained the top or the grave." My family has been in this great land for ten generations. Others are recently naturalized American citizens. All came here in search of freedom and a better life. We must all decide right here and now if this idea and spirit we call America just a casual idea to be cheered when convenient, or is it truly worth having and protecting. We must resolve that our current feeling of intense patriotism shall never be diminished, even in the face of future attacks from our enemy; and those attacks will come. This war will be fought and won not only by our gallant fighting forces, but by every citizen of this great nation. We must be determined to fight if another airliner is hijacked. Remember that there are many passengers on a plane, but few hijackers. We must be determined to fight to defend our homes and our communities. We must be determined to support our government and our military in their efforts to hunt down and exterminate terrorists, eradicate their support networks, and destroy governments which support these networks. This will not be an easy task, but we must be determined. If General Patton was here today, and indeed if the Framers were here, I believe they would all be thoroughly impressed with the unity our country has shown in the past two weeks. The General proposed that "it is the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory." Our resolve is going to be tested as it has never been tested before. This enemy does not understand reason and does not respond to negotiation. No amount of love and compassion will change their attitude. We did not ask for this situation, but Americans have always risen to the challenge. Now is the time for all Americans to become true patriots and stand shoulder to shoulder against this evil enemy of all humanity. God bless America. Pro Deus et Patria, Sir Rutherford B. Johnson, CCS, MCS Commander Emeritus, Georgia Chapter The Patton Society
Rudd, You have frequently disregarded the etiquette of the strathspey server, and the repeated requests of the webmaster to post only relevant dance related comments on this forum. Such cantankerous behaviour is rude and offensive and illustrates a selfishness you appear to share with some of the extremists you seek to denigrate. In future please either observe the rules of civility, or unsubscribe and save the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements. Fiona.
>Rudd, >You have frequently disregarded the etiquette of the strathspey server, and >the repeated requests of the webmaster to post only relevant dance related >comments on this forum. Such cantankerous behaviour is rude and offensive >and illustrates a selfishness you appear to share with some of the >extremists you seek to denigrate. > >In future please either observe the rules of civility, or unsubscribe and >save the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements. > >Fiona. Well said Fiona. Denise
Miss Fiona et al, (apologies to Miss Fiona if she has a husband, but etiquette dictates I not "give her a husband" unless I know for sure she has one.) The description of "irrelevant material" is certainly quite subjective. The Strathspey Server has provided a way for people around the world who are joined by the common bond of Scottish Country Dancing to stay in touch without, for instance, spending a fortune on long distance phone calls. As the culture of our ancestral homeland (for many participating in SCD) of Scotland is highly relevant to understanding and enjoying this form of dance, the cultures of the various countries in which "displaced Scots" have found themselves and in which non-Scots have taken up SCD can also be relevant, and can yield further understand of the art form. For example, what is it about this form of dance that makes it popular in Japan or Germany? What is going on there right now that might affect this? Many dances, as you know, are made based upon historical events...much like the one going on in the world right now. Such events are indeed important to SCD, and no doubt several dances will come out of it. As to the war at hand, I can only look to previous wars such as WWII to say that the survival of freedom, including the freedom to practice Scottish Country Dancing, depends entirely on winning the war. Therefore the letter I sent, largely about things individuals can do to assist, is highly relevant. But as I just said, relevance is a highly subjective qualification. As for "...[saving] the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements" and other invectives, I shan't respond in kind. While I'm free, at least in this country, to speak, you neither have to listen nor respond. On a list server you may start reading, see it isn't something you want, and press the delete key; or indeed if you consider anything I write to be "irrelevant pronouncements", press the delete key without reading. In any case, if you find it irrelevant, then why respond? s/RBJ In a message dated 9/24/01 4:25:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time, xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx.xx writes: << Rudd, You have frequently disregarded the etiquette of the strathspey server, and the repeated requests of the webmaster to post only relevant dance related comments on this forum. Such cantankerous behaviour is rude and offensive and illustrates a selfishness you appear to share with some of the extremists you seek to denigrate. In future please either observe the rules of civility, or unsubscribe and save the rest of us from your irrelevant pronouncements. Fiona. >> *************************************************************** Slàinte mhath, h-uile latha, na chì 'snach fhaic. Slàinte mhòr. An Ridir Radtherfòrd Beurach MacIain, MacSiamas